EP4031479A1

EP4031479A1 - Method and machine for filling a container to a desired liquid level

Info

Publication number: EP4031479A1
Application number: EP20820483.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Philippe Perrier
Original assignee: Pep Technologies SC
Current assignee: Pep Technologies SC
Priority date: 2019-09-19
Filing date: 2020-09-17
Publication date: 2022-07-27
Anticipated expiration: 2040-09-17
Also published as: WO2021053297A1; FR3101074B1; EP4031479C0; US20220332560A1; FR3101074A1; EP4031479B1; US11745992B2

Abstract

The invention relates to a filling machine comprising: • a filling tube (11) passing through a spout nozzle (8) so as to delimit, with the spout nozzle, a part (12a) of an air-return circuit (12), the filling tube (11) being movable vertically and delimiting an outlet passage (11b) for the liquid; • a control circuit (28) for: • moving the filling tube (11) to a bottom position and commanding the closure device to open the outlet passage (11b); • when the outlet passage (11b) of the filling tube is immersed in the liquid, bringing the air-return circuit (12) to atmospheric pressure and moving the filling tube (11) in the direction of its level-setting position; • bringing the air-return circuit (12) into communication with a pressurized chamber (14) and bringing the filling tube (11) to a level-setting position.

Description

Title of the invention: Method and machine for filling a container to a desired level of liquid

Technical area

The object of the invention relates to the technical field of filling containers of any type known per se such as glass or plastic, using a filling liquid of any kind. The object of the invention finds a particularly advantageous application for filling containers of all types of shapes and formats with products sensitive to oxidation such as wines.

In the state of the art, many solutions have been proposed for filling and leveling a liquid inside containers.

Prior art

[0003] For example, US Pat. No. 1,978,002 describes a filling machine comprising a tank for storing a filling liquid. This storage tank is connected to one and in general to a series of filling heads to each of which the containers are successively brought and then removed after filling. Each filling head comprises a filling tube passing through a support seat for the neck of the container. The tube is intended to penetrate inside the container and internally comprises a discharge cannula making it possible to recover the air expelled from the inside of the container by the filling liquid. A vacuum is maintained inside the storage tank to ensure the flow of liquid from the end of the fill tube. When the liquid reaches the lower end of the fill tube, the liquid passes through the discharge cannula to be delivered to the tank or to a storage container. The level of the liquid inside the container is determined by the lower end of the fill tube.

[0004] It must first of all be considered that the filling of containers using vacuum is liable to affect the quality of the filling liquid due to the aeration of the liquid. Indeed, the vacuum modifies the gas balances of certain liquids and leads to loss of aromas. In addition, the quality of the liquid is also affected by the recirculation of the liquid which occurs in the presence of the container on the receiving seat and even in the absence of the container, with a lower recirculation rate. Furthermore, it appears that the filling operation proves in practice, in particular at the end of the filling operation, which is relatively long given the creation of bubbles or foam making it difficult to level the liquid.

[0005] Document DE 11 85 497 describes a technique for filling containers with the aid of a filling liquid stored in a pressure-regulated tank and delivered using at least one filling head comprising a tube filling through a support seat for the container and provided with a main shutter to allow or interrupt the passage of the filling liquid. The filling tube internally comprises a discharge cannula and externally delimits with the support seat, a passage for communication with a circuit for a regulated leakage for the container equipped with a shutter controlled in opening and closing. The discharge cannula is connected by shutters controlled either to a regulated leakage circuit for the cannula, or to a communication circuit with the tank allowing the container to be filled in gravity mode. The filling tube shutter is driven by a controlled actuator.

[0006] The implementation of the technique described by this document leads to a relatively long filling operation taking into account in particular the creation of bubbles or foam at the end of the filling operation.

[0007] In the wine bottling sector, it is known that the absorption of oxygen by the wine must be reduced as much as possible during the filling phase. The known bottling machines currently use a filling process which essentially provides for a preliminary step during which an inert gas such as nitrogen is injected inside the container in order to expel the oxygen therefrom with the aid of 'a tube injector partially inserted into the neck of the container. [0008] The neck of the container is then sealed by means of a filling valve which coaxially comprises the aforementioned nitrogen injection nozzle. A vacuum is then created inside the container and the wine is then poured into the container which flows over the surfaces of the internal walls of the container, from its neck to its bottom. The correct fill level is obtained by aspirating the excess quantity of wine from the container. This conventional process above has been described for example in patent application WO 2016/030786 in which the container is filled using a tube sliding inside the container with the liquid leaving the tube at the bottom. bottom of the bottle and then the level of the liquid rises to the neck, thus reducing the turbulence which conventionally promotes the absorption of oxygen. Such a method leads to a delicate implementation for managing the injection of nitrogen. Moreover, this method does not make it possible to guarantee a precise level for the final level of liquid inside the container because of the management of the regularity of the vacuum and of the suction time.

Disclosure of the invention

[0009] The present invention therefore aims to remedy the drawbacks of the state of the art by proposing a new filling technique which does not have recourse to the injection of nitrogen while limiting the absorption of oxygen by the liquid. , this process allowing the containers to be filled to a desired and reproducible level.

Another object of the invention aims to make it possible to fill containers of all shapes and sizes.

To achieve such an objective, the object of the invention relates to a method for filling containers using a filling liquid stored in a tank and delivered using at least one head of filling comprising a spout end provided with a support seat for a neck of a container, the spout end being traversed by a filling tube connected to the tank and delimiting with the spout end, at least one part of a return air circuit, the filling tube defining an outlet passage for the liquid open or closed by means of a shut-off device, the method comprising the following steps for filling a container:

- Bring the neck of the container to rest on the seat by engaging the spout tip inside the container;

- translating the filling tube inside the container from a high position to a low position near the bottom of the container;

- Put in communication with the interior of the container, the air return circuit brought to atmospheric pressure so that it is emptied of its liquid;

- open, when the filling tube is in its lower position, the outlet passage of the filling tube in order to ensure the exit of the liquid and put the air return circuit in communication with a pressurized chamber to ensure a flow slow liquid;

- when the outlet passage of the filling tube is immersed in the liquid, put the air return circuit at atmospheric pressure to increase the flow of the liquid;

- move the filling tube, keeping the liquid outlet passage submerged, in the direction of a leveling position for which the filling tube is engaged inside the container at a depth corresponding to the level of the liquid at the interior of the container;

- during the end of filling phase, put the air return circuit in communication with the pressure chamber to slow the flow of liquid and move the filling tube to its leveling position;

- wait for the stabilization of the liquid level with a return of liquid in the return air circuit before closing the return air circuit;

- and close the outlet passage of the filling tube to stop the outlet of the liquid.

In addition, the method according to the invention further comprises in combination at least one and / or the other of the following additional characteristics:

- The container is released from the spout after its filling before the engagement of a new container to be filled;

- the filling tube is moved so that in the leveling position, the lower end of the filling tube is at the level of the lower end of the spout tip; - The support seat is mounted in an adjustable position relative to the lower end of the spout tip to adjust the level of the liquid inside the container;

- the filling tube is moved from its leveling position to the high position to ensure the closing of the return air circuit which occurs automatically when the filling tube moves from its leveling position to the high position ;

- the filling tube is moved so that the high position corresponds to the leveling position;

the translation of the filling tube inside the container from the high position to the low position ensures that the air return circuit is placed in communication with the inside of the container;

- The container is in sealed bearing on the seat at least as long as the outlet passage of the filling tube is open;

- the outlet passage of the filling tube is opened or closed by a shutter carried by a rod movable in translation relative to the tube in order to open or close the outlet passage depending on the position of the rod relative to the tube of filling.

Another object of the invention is to provide a container filling machine using a filling liquid stored in a tank, comprising at least one filling head, each filling head comprising:

- a spout end provided with a support seat for a neck of a container;

- a filling tube connected to the tank and passing through the spout end piece to delimit with the spout end piece, part of an air return circuit connected either to atmospheric pressure via a tank shutter, or to a pressure chamber via a chamber shutter, the filling tube being movable vertically using a displacement actuator between on the one hand, a high position and on the other hand, a low position near the bottom of the container, the filling tube defining an outlet passage for the liquid open or closed by means of a closure device;

- a sealing system ensuring the closing of the air return circuit when the filling tube occupies the high closed position; - a control circuit connected to the chamber shutter, the tank shutter, the displacement actuator, the shutter device and the sealing system for:

* during an initial filling phase, move the filling tube from its upper closed position to its lower position and control the closure device to open the outlet passage of the filling tube, and connect the discharge circuit. air return with the chamber under pressure;

* when the outlet passage of the filler tube is submerged in the liquid, put the return air circuit at atmospheric pressure and move the filler tube towards its leveling position while keeping the outlet passage submerged some cash ;

* during the end of filling phase, put the air return circuit in communication with the pressure chamber and bring the filling tube to a position for leveling the liquid inside the container, with a return of liquid in the return air circuit, control the sealing system to close the return air circuit and control the obturation device to close the liquid outlet passage.

In addition, the machine according to the invention may also have in combination at least one and / or the other of the following additional characteristics:

- the closure device comprises a rod mounted inside the filling tube and equipped at its lower part with a shutter and movable in translation with respect to the filling tube using a filling actuator in order to that the shutter can open or close the outlet passage of the filling tube depending on the position of the rod;

- The sealing system comprises a seal carried by the rod to close the air return circuit when the filling tube passes from its leveling position to its high closed position;

- The support seat is mounted with a possibility of adjustment relative to the lower end of the spout tip to allow adjustment of the level of the liquid in the container;

- the filling tube is provided with a support for the rod and for the actuator filling ;

- The machine comprises a container handling system making it possible to engage each container in the spout and to release each of the containers after their filling.

Various other characteristics emerge from the description given below with reference to the accompanying drawings which show, by way of non-limiting examples, embodiments of the object of the invention.

Brief description of the drawings

[0016] [Fig. 1] Figure 1 is a schematic view of the filling machine according to the invention before engagement of the container on the filling head.

[0017] [Fig. 2] Figure 2 is a partial view on a large scale, of the filling head, with the filling tube in the closed position and with the return air circuit in the open position.

[0018] [Fig. 3] Figure 3 is a partial view on a large scale, of the filling head, with the filling tube in the closed position and with the return air circuit in the closed position.

[0019] [Fig. 4] Figure 4 illustrates the filling machine at the start of the filling phase showing the filling tube in the lower position.

[0020] [Fig. 5] Figure 5 illustrates the filling machine in a start-of-filling phase for which the liquid flows in slow mode.

[0021] [Fig. 6] Figure 6 is a view of the filling machine during a filling phase for which the liquid flows in accelerated mode.

[0022] [Fig. 7] FIG. 7 is a view of the filling machine similar to FIG. 6 showing the evolution of the filling.

[0023] [Fig. 8] Figure 8 illustrates the filling machine at the end of the filling phase for which the liquid flows in slow mode.

[0024] [Fig. 9] Figure 9 is a partial view, on a large scale, of the filling head, showing the filling tube in its leveled position. [0025] [Fig. 10] Figure 10 is a partial view on a large scale, of the filling head, showing the path of the liquid in the return air circuit.

[0026] [Fig. 11] Figure 11 is a schematic view of the filling machine after filling a container, with the air return circuit in the closed position and the filling tube in the closed position.

Description of the embodiments

As emerges more precisely from FIG. 1, the object of the invention relates to a machine I intended to fill, using a liquid 1, a container 2 to a determined level. The container 2 can be of any kind, for example made of plastic, glass or even metal. Conventionally, a container 2 is a hollow object comprising a bottom 2a connected to a heel or rim from which rises a body 2b extending through a shoulder connected to a neck or neck 2c terminated by a ring 2d delimiting the mouth for filling or emptying the container. Likewise, the liquid 1 can be of any nature such as, for example, alcoholic, sweet, carbonated, flavored, colored, with or without particles, etc. Advantageously, the liquid 1 is a liquid sensitive to oxidation such as wine.

The filling machine I comprises a storage tank 3 for the liquid 1, maintained at a regulating pressure by any suitable means 4 such as for example by a pressure regulator. Typically, the tank 3 is maintained at a pressure corresponding to atmospheric pressure.

The filling machine I also comprises at least one and in general, several filling heads 6 adapted to fill by gravity, each a container 2 with the liquid 1 leaving the storage tank 3 located at a level higher compared to the level of assembly of the filling heads 6. After its filling, each container 2 is evacuated and replaced by a new container with a view to filling it. The filling machine I comprises for this purpose, a container handling system 7 making it possible to bring each container 2 to a filling head 6 and to release each of the containers after their filling. This handling system 7 of the containers can be produced in any suitable manner. Advantageously, this handling system 7 comprises for each filling head 6, a gripper allowing the movement of the containers by their neck.

The filling machine I is not described more precisely because it can take different shapes or configurations depending in particular on the number of filling heads 6. According to the following description, only the operation of a filling head 6 is described, but it is clear that the object of the invention can be applied to a machine comprising a series of filling heads, for example distributed along a line or at its periphery in order to produce the machine in the form of a carousel.

Each filling head 6 comprises a spout tip 8 provided with a support seat 9 for the neck of the container. The nozzle tip 8 is produced by a tube or a cannula, the section of which is adapted to be able to be introduced into the receptacle 2 through its neck. This nozzle tip 8 has a lower end 8a (FIG. 2).

The spout tip 8 is externally equipped with the support seat 9 which is provided with a support seal 10 for the container in the filling position. Thus, each container 2 is supported by its neck or more precisely by its ring surface 2d on the bearing seal 10 so as to ensure a seal between the spout tip 8 and the neck 2c of the container. Each container 2 is thus moved by the handling system 7 to engage the neck around the spout tip 8 and come through its ring surface 2d, resting on the seal 10.

At the end of the filling operation, each filled container 2 is evacuated by the handling system 7 which ensures the supply of the next container to the filling head.

According to an advantageous characteristic of embodiment, the support seat 9 is mounted with a possibility of adjustment relative to the lower end 8a of the spout tip 8 to allow the level of the liquid in the container to be adjusted. For this purpose, the support seat 9 is slidably mounted on the spout tip 8 with a locking system in a predetermined position of all types known per se. For example, the nozzle tip 8 may have graduations to facilitate the positioning in a defined position of the support seat 9 relative to the lower end 8a of the spout 8.

Each nozzle tip 8 is crossed by a filling tube 11 communicating with the storage tank 3 and mounted to move in vertical translation. The filling tube 11 passes through the spout 8 to delimit with the spout, a part 12a of an air return circuit 12 in communication with the interior of the container in order to place it at a value of pressure determined as a function of the filling cycle, as will be explained in the remainder of the description. For this purpose, the nozzle tip 8 and the filling tube 11 extend coaxially to each other, delimiting between them an annular chamber 12a forming part of the return air circuit 12 (Fig. . 2). A dynamic sealing system 13 is placed between the upper part of the nozzle tip 8 and the sliding filling tube 11 in order to close the upper part of the annular chamber 12a.

This return air circuit 12 also comprises a connection pipe 12b with the annular chamber 12a and connected either to atmospheric pressure or to a pressurized chamber 14 via a chamber shutter 15. Advantageously, the connection pipe 12b is connected via a tank shutter 16, to the top 3a of the tank 3, the pressure of which is kept equal to atmospheric pressure. Thus, the air return circuit 12 is placed either at atmospheric pressure (via the vessel shutter 16) or at a pressure value greater than atmospheric pressure (via the chamber shutter 15).

According to another characteristic of the invention, a sealing system 17 ensures the closing of the return air circuit 12 when the filling tube 11 occupies a high position (Fig. 3). Such a sealing system 17 can be produced in any suitable manner. A preferred exemplary embodiment will be described in the remainder of the description.

The filling tube 11 has a lower end 11a defining an outlet passage 11b for the liquid. The lower end 11a still extends below the support seat 9. Thus, the filling tube 11 extends thus protruding from the support seat 9 allowing the introduction of the filling tube 11 by its lower end 11a inside the container 2. In the example illustrated, the filling tube 11 is a rigid tube connected to the bottom of tank 3 using a flexible 11c.

The filling tube 11 is movable in a vertical direction using a displacement actuator 18 between a high position and a low position defined with respect to the depth of engagement of the filling tube inside of the container. The high position of the filling tube 11 corresponds to the position in a filling cycle, for which the filling tube 11 occupies the highest position. This high position may correspond to the leveling position for which the filling tube 11 is engaged inside the container at a depth corresponding to the level of the liquid to be reached inside the container. The distance between the support seat 9 and the lower end 11a of the filling tube thus corresponds to the final height of the liquid inside the container 2. According to a preferred variant of implementation, in the leveling position. , the lower end 11a of the filling tube is at the level of the lower end 8a of the nozzle tip 8 as illustrated in FIG. 2

The high position of the filling tube 11 may also correspond according to a preferred embodiment described in detail in the following description, to a position of the filling tube higher than the leveling position and for which the filling tube 11 closes the air return circuit 12. In this so-called fully closed high position illustrated in FIG. 3, the sealing system 17 closes the return air circuit 12 between the lower end 11a of the filling tube and the lower end 8a of the nozzle tip 8.

The low position of the filling tube 11 corresponds to a positioning of the lower end 11a of the filling tube at the level of the bottom 2a of the container. Preferably, in this low position, the lower end 11a of the filling tube is not in contact with the bottom of the container but is located near the pricked bottom. The displacement actuator 18 has a displacement stroke making it possible to position the lower end 11a of the filling tube 11 between this high position and this low position. In the example illustrated in the drawings, the actuator 18 is an electric cylinder, but it is clear that this actuator can be produced in any suitable manner. This actuator 18 comprises an actuating rod 18a sliding in a body 18b and acting on a support

20 supporting the filling tube 11. As can be seen from the drawings, the upper end of the filling tube 11 is fixed to the support 20.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the outlet passage 11b of the filling tube 11 is opened or closed using a sealing device

21 of all types. In the embodiment illustrated in the drawings, the closure device 21 comprises a rod 22 mounted coaxially inside the filling tube 11. This rod 22 is equipped at its lower part, with a shutter 23. adapted to open or close the outlet passage 11b of the filling tube according to the position of the rod. The rod 22 is mounted to move in translation relative to the filling tube 11 by means of an actuator 25 which controls at least the closure of the outlet passage 11b of the filling tube. This shutter actuator 25 moves the rod 22 so that the shutter 23 can open or close the outlet passage 11b of the filling tube. To go from the open position to the closed position of the outlet passage 11b, the rod 22 is moved upwards relative to the filling tube 11 so that the shutter 23 comes to cooperate with the lower end 11a in order to close its exit passage 11b. To change from the closed position to the open position of the outlet passage 11b, the rod 22 is moved downwardly relative to the filling tube 11 so that the shutter 23 does not cooperate with the lower end 11a in order to open its exit passage 11b. Advantageously, the stroke of the rod 22 is adapted so that, in the open position, the shutter 23 does not reduce the outlet passage 11b of the filling tube 11. The rod 22 is guided in sliding by the support 20 on which is advantageously mounted the shutter actuator 25. For example, the shutter actuator 25 is produced by an electric or pneumatic actuator.

According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the rod 22 is part of the sealing system 17 which ensures the closing of the return air circuit 12 when the filling tube 11 occupies the high position called complete closure (Fig. 3) but which ensures the opening of the air return circuit 12 when the filling tube 11 is lowered with respect to the nozzle tip 8 (Fig. 2). The lower end of the rod 22 is provided with a seal 17a forming part of the sealing system 17 and extending radially beyond the filling tube 11 to cooperate with the lower end 8a of the 'nozzle tip 8 in order to ensure the closure of the return air circuit 12.

According to an advantageous variant embodiment, the shutter 23 and the seal 17a are produced by a common seal carried by the lower end of the rod 22. This common seal 23, 17a has a frustoconical shape with its central part closing off the filling tube 11 while its peripheral part closes the annular chamber 12a delimited between the filling tube 11 and the spout tip 8. This common seal 23, 17a is produced in any suitable manner to achieve the sealing functions described. To go from the open position to the closed position of the return air circuit 12, the filling tube 11 is moved upwards relative to the spout tip 8 so that the sealing system 17 ensures the closing. of the lower part of the annular chamber 12a delimited between the spout tip 8 and the filling tube 11. In this closed position illustrated in FIG. 3, the lower end 11a of the filling tube occupies a higher level with respect to the lower end 8a of the spout tip 8.

The filling machine I also comprises a control circuit 28 connected to the chamber shutter 15, to the tank shutter 16, to the displacement actuator 18 of the filling tube 11 and to the actuator d 'shutter 25 allowing the opening or closing of the outlet passage of the filling 11. The control circuit 28 makes it possible to control the operation of the chamber shutter 15, of the tank shutter 16, of the displacement actuator 18 of the filling tube 11 and of the shutter actuator 25 to implement a filling process according to the invention. The control circuit 28 also controls the sealing system 17 which closes the return air circuit 12. In the example illustrated, the sealing system 17 is controlled by the filling tube 11, the movement of which is controlled by the travel actuator 18.

The following description describes a cycle for filling a container 2 according to the method according to the invention implemented with the machine I described above.

[0048] FIG. 1 illustrates a filling head 6 in a post or pre-filling position in which the outlet passage 11b of the filling tube 11 is closed and the return air circuit 12 is also closed by the closure device 21. The filling tube 11 occupies the high position called complete closure also illustrated in FIG. 3.

The filling process consists in bringing the neck 2c of the container 2 to bear on the seat 9 of the filling head while engaging the spout tip 8 inside the container 2. For this purpose, the system 7 for handling moves the container 2 to bring its ring surface 2d to bear on the seat 9. As illustrated more precisely in FIG. 4, the method consists in translating the filling tube 11 inside the container 2 from its high position called completely closed to its low position near the bottom of the container. The control circuit 28 thus controls the displacement actuator 18 to lower the filling tube 11 until the lower end 11a of the filling tube is located near the bottom of the container.

It should be noted that the descent of the filling tube 11 leads to release the seal between the filling tube 11 and the spout tip 8 since the seal 17a no longer cooperates with the spout tip 8 (Fig. 2). The annular chamber 12a is therefore no longer sealed so that the return air circuit 12 is placed in communication with the interior of the container 2. It should be noted that the return air circuit 12 is at pressure. atmospheric and has a volume determined amount of liquid recovered during the previous filling cycle. Also, the air return circuit 12 empties its liquid along the filling tube 11 during the downward movement of the filling tube 11 inside the container.

When the filling tube 11 occupies its low position, the outlet passage 11b of the filling tube is open in order to ensure the outlet of the liquid (Fig. 5). To this end, the control circuit 28 controls the shutter actuator 25 to ensure the descent of the rod 22 relative to the filling tube 11 so that the shutter 23 can open the outlet passage 11b of the filling tube. The liquid can thus flow inside the container.

Advantageously, concomitantly with the opening of the outlet passage of the filling tube, the air return circuit 12 is placed in communication with the pressure chamber 14 to ensure a slow flow of the liquid. The control circuit 28 closes the tank shutter 16 and simultaneously opens the chamber shutter 15. The pressure applied inside the container 2 by the pressure chamber 14 and exerted on the liquid leaving the filling tube is such. that it makes it possible to reduce the gravitational flow of the liquid leaving the filling tube 11, by reducing the speed of the liquid leaving the filling tube 11; the impact of the liquid on the bottom of the container decreases, thus avoiding the creation of turbulence at the start of filling. The level of the liquid inside the container 2 thus rises gradually with an upper surface remaining practically flat.

When the outlet passage 11b of the filling tube 11 is immersed in the liquid, the air return circuit 12 is brought to atmospheric pressure to increase the flow of the liquid. The control circuit 28 closes the chamber shutter 15 and simultaneously opens the tank shutter 16 (Fig. 6). As a result, the filling speed is accelerated without affecting the quality of the liquid since the liquid flowing from the outlet passage 11b of the filling tube is submerged.

When the level of the liquid is such that the outlet passage 11b of the filling tube 11 is immersed in the liquid, then the filling tube 11 is reassembled, keeping the outlet passage 11b for the submerged liquid (Fig. 7). The control circuit 28 thus controls the displacement actuator 18 to raise the filling tube 11 in the direction of its leveling position while keeping the outlet passage 11b of the filling tube 11 submerged in the liquid. filling continues in this way without affecting the quality of the filling. The start of the ascent of the filling tube 11 begins at the end of a period determined by experimentation. Likewise, the ascent rate of the filling tube 11 is determined by experimentation.

The filling process ends during an end of filling phase occurring when the level of the liquid approaches the leveling position. Typically, this end-of-filling phase begins when the liquid level reaches the beginning of the neck. During the end of filling phase, the air return circuit 12 is placed in communication with the pressure chamber 14 to slow the flow of the liquid (FIG. 8). The control circuit 28 closes the tank shutter 16 and simultaneously opens the chamber shutter 15. The pressure applied inside the container 2 by the pressure chamber 14 and exerted on the liquid leaving the filling tube is such. that it makes it possible to reduce the gravitational flow of the liquid leaving the filling tube 11, thus avoiding the creation of turbulence at the end of filling.

The filling tube 11 continues its upward movement, under the action of the movement actuator 18, to its leveling position. Of course, the filling tube 11 is moved so that the outlet passage 11b of the filling tube 11 remains submerged. According to an advantageous variant embodiment, the filling tube 11 is moved so that, in the leveling position, the lower end 11a of the filling tube is located at the level of the lower end 8a of the spout tip 8. (Fig. 9). The level of the liquid inside the container 2 thus rises gradually to stabilize at the same level as the lower end 8a of the filling tube.

The method consists of waiting for the stabilization of the liquid level at the level of the lower end 11a of the filling tube 11. The liquid continues to flow. path in the return air circuit 12 going up into the annular chamber 12a and even into a part of the connection pipe 12b (FIG. 10).

After the leveling operation, the method consists in closing the return air circuit 12 as well as the outlet passage 11b of the filling tube 11 to stop the outlet of the liquid. To this end, the control circuit 28 controls the shutter actuator 25 to ensure the rise of the rod 22 relative to the filling tube 11 so that the shutter 23 can close the outlet passage 11b of the filling tube ( Fig. 11). Simultaneously, the control circuit 28 controls the displacement actuator 18 to raise the filling tube 11 so that the seal 17a cooperates with the spout tip 8 to close the return air circuit 12 and in particular the annular chamber 12a. Thus, the filling tube 11 is raised to the upper position known as completely closed, as illustrated in FIG. 3.

The filling of the container being completed, the control circuit 28 closes the chamber shutter 15 and opens the tank shutter 16 in order to relieve the pressure in the return air circuit 12. The filled container is released. of the spout tip 8 after its filling using the handling system 7, to allow the engagement of a new container to be filled.

The object of the invention thus makes it possible to fill and bring to a desired level, a container without using a vacuum or a vacuum pump. The filling level is effected by pressure equilibrium when the liquid level reaches the lower end of the filling tube 11.

The invention is not limited to the examples described and shown because various modifications can be made to it without departing from its scope.

Claims

[Claim 1] A method of filling containers (2) using a filling liquid (1) stored in a tank (3) and delivered using at least one filling head (6) comprising a spout tip (8) provided with a support seat (9) for a neck of a container, the spout tip (8) being crossed by a filling tube (11) connected to the tank and delimiting with the nozzle tip, at least part of an air return circuit (12), the filling tube defining an outlet passage (11b) for the liquid open or closed by means of a device closure (21), the method comprising the following steps for filling a container:

- bring the neck of the container to rest on the seat (9) by engaging the spout tip (8) inside the container (2);

- translating the filling tube (11) inside the container from a high position to a low position near the bottom (2a) of the container;

- Put in communication with the interior of the container, the air return circuit (12) brought to atmospheric pressure so that it empties its liquid;

- open, when the filling tube (11) occupies its lower position, the outlet passage (11b) of the filling tube in order to ensure the outlet of the liquid and put in communication the air return circuit (12) with a pressure chamber (14) to ensure a slow flow of the liquid;

- when the outlet passage (11b) of the filling tube (11) is immersed in the liquid, putting the air return circuit (12) at atmospheric pressure to increase the flow of the liquid;

- move the filling tube (11) keeping the liquid outlet passage (11b) submerged, in the direction of a leveling position for which the filling tube is engaged inside the container at a corresponding depth at the level of the liquid inside the container;

- during the end of filling phase, put the air return circuit (12) in communication with the pressure chamber (14) to slow the flow of liquid and move the filling tube (11) to its leveling position; - wait for the stabilization of the liquid level with a return of liquid in the return air circuit (12) before closing the return air circuit;

- and close the outlet passage (11b) of the filling tube to stop the outlet of the liquid.

[Claim 2] A filling method according to claim 1, wherein the container (2) is released from the spout (8) after its filling before the engagement of a new container to be filled.

[Claim 3] A filling method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the filling tube (11) is moved so that in the leveling position, the lower end (11a) of the filling tube is at the level. level of the lower end (8a) of the nozzle tip (8).

[Claim 4] A filling method according to one of the preceding claims, according to which the support seat (9) is mounted in an adjustable position relative to the lower end (8a) of the spout tip (8) for adjust the liquid level inside the container.

[Claim 5] A filling method according to one of the preceding claims, according to which the filling tube (11) is moved from its leveling position to the high position to ensure the closure of the return air circuit. (12) intervening automatically when the filling tube moves from its leveling position to the high position.

[Claim 6] A filling method according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the filling tube (11) is moved so that the high position corresponds to the leveling position.

[Claim 7] The filling method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the translation of the filling tube (11) inside the container from the high position to the low position ensures the communication of the return circuit d air (12) with the interior of the container.

[Claim 8] A filling method according to one of the preceding claims, according to which the container (2) bears tightly on the seat (9) at least as long as the outlet passage (11b) of the filling tube (11) is open.

[Claim 9] A filling method according to any one of the preceding claims, according to which the outlet passage (11b) of the filling tube is opened or closed by a shutter (23) carried by a rod (22) movable in translation by relative to the tube in order to open or close the outlet passage depending on the position of the rod (22) relative to the filling tube (11).

[Claim 10] A machine for filling containers (2) using a filling liquid (1) stored in a tank (3), comprising at least one filling head (6), each filling head comprising:

- a spout tip (8) provided with a support seat (9) for a neck of a container;

- a filling tube (11) connected to the tank and passing through the nozzle tip (8) to delimit with the nozzle tip, a part (12a) of an air return circuit (12) connected either at atmospheric pressure via a tank shutter (16), or to a pressure chamber (14) via a chamber shutter (15), the filling tube (11) being movable vertically using a pressure actuator displacement (18) between, on the one hand, a high position and, on the other hand, a low position near the bottom of the container, the filling tube (11) defining an outlet passage (11b) for the open or closed liquid using a closure device (21);

- a sealing system (17) ensuring the closing of the air return circuit (12) when the filling tube (11) occupies the high closed position;

- a control circuit (28) connected to the chamber shutter (15), to the tank shutter (16), to the displacement actuator (18), to the shutter device (21) and to the system sealing (17) for:

* during an initial filling phase, move the filling tube (11) from its high closing position to its low position and control the closing device (21) to open the outlet passage (11b) of the discharge tube. filling (11), and placing the air return circuit (12) in communication with the pressure chamber (14);

* when the outlet passage (11b) of the filling tube is submerged in the liquid, put the air return circuit (12) at atmospheric pressure and move the filling tube (11) towards its leveling position while keeping the outlet passage (11b) of the liquid submerged;

* during the end of filling phase, put the air return circuit (12) in communication with the pressure chamber (14) and bring the filling tube (11) to a position for leveling the liquid at inside the container, with a liquid return in the return air circuit (12), control the sealing system (17) to close the return air circuit and control the closure device (21 ) to close the liquid outlet passage.

[Claim 11] A filling machine according to the preceding claim, according to which the closure device (21) comprises a rod (22) mounted inside the filling tube (11) and equipped at its lower part with a shutter (23) and movable in translation relative to the filling tube (11) using a filling actuator (25) so that the shutter (23) can open or close the outlet passage (11b) of the filling tube (11) depending on the position of the rod.

[Claim 12] A filling machine according to one of claims 10 or 11, according to which the sealing system (17) comprises a seal (17a) carried by the rod (22) to close the return circuit air (12) when the filling tube (11) moves from its leveling position to its high closed position.

[Claim 13] A filling machine according to one of claims 10 to 12, according to which the support seat (9) is mounted with a possibility of adjustment relative to the lower end (8a) of the nozzle tip (8) to allow adjustment of the liquid level in the container.

[Claim 14] A filling machine according to one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the filling tube (11) is provided with a support (20) for the rod (22) and for the filling actuator (25). ).

[Claim 15] A filling machine according to one of claims 10 to 14, according to which it comprises a handling system (7) of the containers for engaging each container (2) in the spout (8) and releasing each of the containers after filling.